Miami Soul: Art Basel Daily Event Guide Part 2

Art Basel officially kicks off with a heavy lineup of things to do, places to be, and art not to miss. Many of the premier and must attend events are invite only, but here’s a handy daily list of some pretty cool events to check out. There’s also a list of art fairs offering free admission.

Art Miami

Art Miami, Miami’s longest running art fair, has evolved and expanded tremendously since its inception 26 years ago and has now become one of Miami’s premier anchor fairs alongside Art Basel. More than 85,000 collectors, curators, museum professionals, and art world luminaries attend the annual fair in the Wynwood Arts District. Between Art Miami and its sister fairs, CONTEXT Art Miami and Aqua Art Miami, the brand has become its own cultural destination attracting curious travelers, serious collectors and casual enthusiasts from all over the globe. Art Miami’s 2015 line-up features 120 galleries from 19 different countries.

Art Miami VIP Private PreviewTuesday, December 1, 5:30PM – 10PMCollectors, curators, artists, art enthusiasts, and members of the press are invited to experience an exclusive first view of the highly anticipated Art Miami and CONTEXT at a cocktail reception presented by Merrill Lynch and benefitting the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). By invitation only for VIP cardholders.

Art MIami Exclusive VIP ReceptionThursday, December 3Merrill Lynch and Diamonds Unleashed along with Art Miami will come together to host an exclusive VIP reception in the fair’s VIP lounge for Diamonds Unleased Ambassadors, Miami Dolphins players, Merrill Lynch clients, and top collectors. By invitation only.

Wednesday, December 2

PINTA Miami Preview Party5PM – 9PM – MANA Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd StFair open from December 3 – 6, 11AM – 8PMNow in it’s second year during Miami Art Week, PINTA Miami hosts a preview for an exhibition of more than 50 modern and contemporary art by Latin American and Spanish artists. The venue will also be hosting and collaborating with the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, the Miami Symphony Orchestra and Tiroche DeLeon Collection, among others.

IVY Cocktail Party at PULSE Miami Beach Art Fair5PM – 8PM – Indian Beach Park, 46th Street & Collins Ave, Miami BeachThe cocktail party is a celebration of the conclusion of the 2nd annual IVY Innovator Program presented by Cadillac at the PULSE Art Fair. IVY & Cadillac will host members, finalists and winners from the 2015 Innovator Program, as well as members of the media for an evening of delicious beverages and appetizers overlooking the ocean. Cadillac will also have a dedicated booth where visitors will have a chance to watch New York-based graffiti artist, David Paul Kay, live-paint a 2016 Cadillac ATS-V. PULSE will be open from December 1 – 5.

“Taste What’s Next” with Bon Appetit Magazine & Volvo7:30PM – 10:30PM – MAPS Backlot, 342 NW 24th St, WynwoodPrivate cocktail reception and dinner featuring a unique collaboration between Michelin-starred Chef Fredrik Berselius and artist Chris Doyle on original works of art. The artists’ installation and food experience, rooted in the theme “Taste What’s Next” in the culinary and art arenas, will be revealed at the dinner and showcased the next day to private guests.

Art Loves Fashion Gala by Planet Fashion TV6PM – 10PM – Spectrum Art Fair Tent, NE 2nd Ave at 17th StThe VIP Gala will take place at the opening night of Spectrum Miami Art Show, a 60,000 square foot pop-up museum of art that will house pieces from hundreds of international art galleries for the week. Burberry will feature their fall 2015 pret-a-porter collection in a live over the top fashion show, that will be viewable to the public from the street. There will also be performances by Sony recording artist Cris Cab, and fashion shows by Art Hearts Fashion and Erick Rosetes, the producers of LA Fashion Week. For info: PlanetFashionEvents.com

NoMi Basel Block Party9PM – Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA) Plaza, 770 NE 125th St, North MiamiCome party with the city of North Miami as we kick off Art Basel week at the NoMi Basel Block Party in the MOCA plaza. Enjoy live entertainment, graffiti artists, body painters and more.

Thursday, December 3

Baker’s Breakfast9AM – 2PM – Bakehouse Art Complex, 561 NW 32nd St, MiamiThe Bakehouse Art Complex presents its signature Baker’s Breakfast, an opportunity to come break bread with its 60 working resident artists before the art fairs. At the Baker’s Breakfast, artists share an international breakfast experience for visitors, inspired by the Art Deco bakery building where their studios are housed today. Guests will have access to exhibitions and open studios. This is a free event, and shuttle service will be provided from the Bakehouse to other art venues in Wynwood.

Eva Longoria & Ricky Martin hosts special recognition for Jorge Perez8:30PM – Perez Art Museum, 1400 Biscayne BlvdEva Longoria and Ricky Martin join forces with the Global Gift Initiative to celebrate a night of giving back to honor the Related Group’s Jorge Pérez in recognition of his longstanding dedication to and support of the arts, most notably for his role in establishing the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Proceeds for the event benefit the Eva Longoria Foundation, the Ricky Martin Foundation and the Global Gift Foundation. Make your reservations here (tickets required): rsvp@globalgiftfoundationusa.org.

Absolut Elyx & Water for People Charity Cocktail Party & Art Auction7PM – 10PM – Delano South Beach, 1685 Collins AveAbsolut’s luxury vodka Elyx and non-profit organization Water For People will celebrate their pa
rtnership on the opening night of Art Basel with an outdoor gala, featuring a barbecue and bespoke cocktails and a music line-up that includes a DJ set from Jasmine Solano and live performance by Swedish artist, Elliphant. An auction will be held for a sculpture created by artist Antony Gormley, which will be sold to raise funds for Water for People.

Artceleration7PM – 12PM – Macaya Gallery, 145 NW 36th StThree artists will each use a FERRARI F430 Challenge Car as a medium for creative interpretation, and attendees will get the opportunity to witness Edouard Dubal Carrie’s painting of the F430 Challenge Car. A portion of proceeds from the bidding on the car will be donated to the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance. Invite only. Tickets available at artceleration.com/get-tickets. Please use ticket code Edouard2015

Ornare Art Basel Kickoff 9th Annual Tastemakers Showcase7PM – Ornare Showroom, 4040 NE 2nd Ave, Suite 103Ornare, Miami’s premier, ultra-luxury Brazilian interiors showroom, will host a showcase to feature work by seven of Miami’s most influential interior designers on showroom walls transformed into large spectacles. Hundreds of VIPs, art & design enthusiasts and tastemakers will enjoy specialty cocktails and canapés, along with live music to set the vibe.

4th Annual Vibes Art Basel9PM – 4AM – Toe Jam Backlot, 150 NW 21st StThis annual music, art, and fish fry party is usually one of the hottest for Art Basel and is presented by Guinness and 305 Films this year and hosts by Felisha Monet from 99 Jamz. On the turntables is Jamaica’s Stone Love as well as Tom LaRoc, LS One, and Dutty Dex. A collective art exhibit will also be featured. Limited early bird donation tickets are $15 at vibes305.com with proceeds to benefit the 305 Films Summer Camp.

“Rap Tees” Launch Party Basement Miami at Miami Beach Edition, 2901 Collins AveMusic by DJ Ross One and DZA and hosted by Peachfuzz. RSVP to reservations@basementmiami.com.

Saturday, December 5

REVOLT Blended Cultures II Party6:30PM – 1AM – Maps Backlot Production House, 342 NW 24th StComing off the heels of the successful REVOLT Music Conference back in October, REVOLT returns to Miami for Art Basel for its Blended Cultures II party featuring live graffiti, mural creations, emerging DJs, and live art exhibits. Detroit art legend, Shades, will do a live graffiti painting of a new Fiat 500X Crossover while local artists do live painting on a massive outdoor wall.

Art Basel performance by Slick Rick10PM – Blackbird Ordinary, 729 SW 1st Ave, MiamiJoin us for some Art Basel craziness! Slick Rick will be gracing us with a performance. This will surely be one for the books. No cover. 21+

Coors Light Soundtrack Refresh Tour Event ft Fabolous9PM – 2AM – ToeJam Backlot, 159 NW 21st StCoors Light and award-winning hip-hop DJ and producer DJ Mustard will bring its Soundtrack reFRESH tour back to Miami for Miami Art Week. Over the summer, Coors Light assembled a collective of top DJs across the country, to showcase the regional sounds and styles that helped influence and shape hip-hop culture. Coors Light will now return to Miami, with DJ Mustard, DJ E-Feezy and a special guest appearance by Fabolous. Free.

Hive Pop Up Art Village & LoungeMANA Wynwood, 2250 NW 2nd AveDecember 2 – 6HIVE is a free, five-day pop up experience featuring a daily music lineup, outdoor art installations with live art programming, an arts & crafts village, a pop up restaurant, and over 40 artisans showcasing original works of art.

Urban Art Block PartyThursday, December 3 – Sunday, December 6, 12PM – 2AM – MANA Wynwood, 594 NW 23rd StThe Mana Urban Arts Project, the Bushwick Collective and Basel House have teamed up for a block party showcasing all that embodies the street art form, with live painting throughout the four-day event by some of the world’s top artists who will transform the former RC Cola Plant with an entire series of new murals and paintings. In addition to the live art, there will be a series of DJs and live bands, breakdance performances,
arts and craft vendors, and 50 of Miami’s best food trucks. Free and open to the public daily. Visit BaselHouse.com for more info.

Smashed CanvasThru December 5, 2PM – 12AM – Smashed Canvas, 244 NW 29th StOver 20 of the world’s best muralists will be painting the entire block between NW 2nd & 3rd Avenue and 28th & 29th Street, creating the perfect reception to the beautiful Wynwood Arts District. Smashed Canvas will allow you to savor a myriad of bites and enjoy exclusive craft beers and hand-made cocktails, while rubbing elbows with some of the world’s most prominent figures in contemporary urban art. 10 Days of Events featuring some amazing craft beer. RSVP for access to free samples and tastings each day from different breweries.

Wynwood Walls Miami Art Week PartyTuesday, December 1 – Sunday, December 6, 10AM – 11PM – Wynwood Walls, 2520 NW 2nd AveLynwood Walls is hosting a weeklong party showcasing 14 new large scale murals and installations by globally acclaimed street artists, as well as a program of events within the art park that will be free and open to the public.

Spencer Finch Ice Cream Truck at Hyde MidtownTuesday, December 1, 5PM – 10PM – Hyde Midtown, 3401 NE 1st AveWednesday, December 2 – Saturday, December 5, 1PM – 8PMMidtown fair goers will be able to have their art and eat it too as American artist Spencer Finch takes his artistic ice cream truck cross-country for its Art Basel debut. Finch uses a solar-powered truck to distill the colors of the sunset into tasty soft-serve ice cream cones dubbed “edible monochromes,” and visitors will be able to enjoy them free of charge.